Formed in 2003 by Solstice guitar player Richard M. Walker, Isen Torr has been dubbed "Anglo Saxon Battle Metal". Though they reside in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, this is still not an all-British band. Enlisting the aid of ex-Destiny's End guitarist Perry M. Grayson, Twisted Tower Dire vocalist Tony Taylor, ex-Ritual Steel bassist Oliver Zühlke and current Ritual Steel drummer Martin Zellmer the band set about recording their debut EP "Mighty & Superior".

MIGHTY & SUPERIOR (EP) (2003, 2008) SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS

Isen Torr is as close to an epic metal supergroup as you'll get. They quickly gained cult status in the underground, and the status is held intact much due to the fact that so far they have only recorded 2 songs!

I discovered the band thanks to a compilation swap held on the Heart of Metal discussion board. So thanks goes out to Dave The Boss for hooking me up with knowledge about this band.

'Mighty & Superior' was released as a 10" vinyl EP back in 2003. 2 more EP's were already planned to fulfill an envisioned trilogy. But for whatever reason, this debut remains the only available music from this band. Originally they also intended to have their music available on vinyl only. But in 2008 Shadow Kingdom Records reissued the EP on CD, this time with an instrumental demo version of "The Theomachist" as a bonus.

Musically Isen Torr sounds just as you might expect from a band featuring members from Solstice, Pagan Altar and Ritual Steel. The self acclaimed Anglo Saxon Battle Metal-tag should tell you what you need to know. Both songs delivers traditional, galloping, epic metal with pounding rhythms, soaring vocals, twin guitar work... yes, the works! One can easily visualize the battling sword slingers riding across the English moors when listening to 'Mighty & Superior'. Band in this genre will often come across as cheesy, or at least cliché ridden. Isen Torr do not! Every note played sounds real, and every word is uttered with conviction.

Now, 2 songs are seldom enough to make a band legendary. But the quality of both the songs here are so good, you'll not only long for more, but it will also have you reaching for the repeat button once the EP is over. Since both tracks are clocking in at over 8 minutes, this actually feels longer than just a 2 song EP. So when the music never gets boring or samey, despite the rather simple songwriting, Isen Torr hits the proverbial nail on the head with this EP. Every fan of traditional metal should do themselves a favor and check out Isen Torr.

February 6, 2010, vocalist Tony Taylor dies in a motorcycle accident. So who knows if we'll ever see the trilogy finished now.

Related artists:

Destiny's End, Twisted Tower Dire, October 31